System for generating and maintaining a solid structure

Abstract

A method and system for generating and maintaining a solid structure is provided. The system includes a frame composed of an interconnected network of pipes configured for transporting liquid, the frame having a substantially spherical shape, a plurality of nozzles uniformly distributed along the pipes, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured for dispensing liquid, a repository that holds a liquid composed of water and at least one additive, a refrigeration unit configured for refrigerating the liquid from the repository to at least a freezing temperature, and a pump for pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles, wherein the system is configured to dispense the liquid at said freezing temperature so as to freeze upon egress and create a solid structure surrounding the pipes. The system may also return melted liquid from the solid structure to the repository.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for generating and maintaining a solid structure, the system comprising:
 a. a frame composed of an interconnected network of pipes configured for transporting liquid, the frame having a substantially spherical shape;   b. a plurality of nozzles uniformly distributed along the pipes, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured for dispensing liquid;   c. a repository that holds a liquid composed of water and at least one additive;   d. a refrigeration unit configured for refrigerating the liquid from the repository to at least a freezing temperature; and   e. a pump for pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles, wherein the system is configured to dispense the liquid at said freezing temperature so as to freeze upon egress and create a solid structure surrounding the pipes.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more sensors configured for collecting data from the solid structure.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a computing device communicably coupled with the one or more sensors and the pump, the computing device configured for receiving data from the one or more sensors, determining whether the solid structure requires replenishment and then activating the pump to start pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a collection repository that collects liquid that has melted from the solid structure.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the collection repository is configured to provide liquid to the refrigeration unit and wherein the pump is configured for pumping the liquid from the collection repository to the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured for collecting data from the collection repository. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the computing device communicably is further configured for receiving data from the one or more sensors, determining whether a level of liquid within the collection repository is above a predetermined threshold and then activating the pump to start pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles. 
     
     
         8 . A system for generating and maintaining a solid structure around a nuclear reactor and for reducing the effects of runaway nuclear reactors, the system comprising:
 a. a frame composed of an interconnected network of pipes configured for transporting liquid, wherein the aluminum pipes include an interior coating of hafnium that is refined to maximize neutron capture, the frame having a substantially spherical shape;   b. a plurality of nozzles uniformly distributed along the pipes, wherein the plurality of nozzles are configured for dispensing liquid;   c. a repository that holds a liquid composed of water and at least one additive;   d. a refrigeration unit configured for refrigerating the liquid from the repository to at least a freezing temperature; and   e. a pump for pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles, wherein the system is configured to dispense the liquid at said freezing temperature so as to freeze upon egress and create a solid structure surrounding the pipes,   wherein in the event of a nuclear reactor malfunction, the hafnium in the aluminum pipes results in neutron capture shutting down a nuclear chain reaction, namely, if the aluminum in the pipes is burned through by the nuclear reactor malfunction and the hafnium is exposed.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 one or more sensors configured for collecting data from the solid structure.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a computing device communicably coupled with the one or more sensors and the pump, the computing device configured for receiving data from the one or more sensors, determining whether the solid structure requires replenishment and then activating the pump to start pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a collection repository that collects liquid that has melted from the solid structure.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the collection repository is configured to provide liquid to the refrigeration unit and wherein the pump is configured for pumping the liquid from the collection repository to the refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more sensors are further configured for collecting data from the collection repository. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the computing device communicably is further configured for receiving data from the one or more sensors, determining whether a level of liquid within the collection repository is above a predetermined threshold and then activating the pump to start pumping the liquid from the refrigeration unit through the pipes and out of the nozzles.